Brief case frames



Sept. 3, 1957 L LIFToN BRIEF CASE FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27. 1956 Spt. 3, 1957 l.. LIFToN 2,804,900

BRIEF CASE FRAMES Filed Dec. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent BRIEF CASE FRAMES Lewis Lifton, New York, N. Y.

Application December 27, 1956, Serial No. 630,983

7 Claims. (Cl. 150-29) My invention relates to brief case frames comprising complementary inverted and covered U-shaped inner and outer frames adapted to form the mouth of the brief case and adapted to be swingably brought together or widely swung apart in the matter of closing or opening the brief case. In actual practice the inner and outer U-shaped frames each includes a reach having spaced depending legs. The frames embody an appropriate leather covering or simulation thereof. The lower or inner portions of corresponding legs of the inner and outer frames are pivotally mounted on a cylindrical shank of a rivet. Heretofore a metal washer was mounted on each rivet between corresponding legs of the frames and another metal washer was mounted on each rivet and positioned against outside legs of the frames before the respective rivet or fulcrum means for the corresponding legs was upset. By such arrangement although the frames are pivotally associated, the lower faces of the spaced depending legs of the covering of the outer frame are thus exposed. Such exposed faces leave an unsightly appearance particularly after use of the brief case when such covering at such exposed faces start to separate. If the covering at the exposed faces to separate the metal frames become uncovered and unattractively show, hence detracting from the desired appearance of the brief case apart from the fact that moisture or the like now also attacks the metal frames at the exposed areas. In addition, the lower faces of the separated covering often becomes scraped and often frays thereby further detracting from the desired appearance. The invention accordingly aims to provide a novel protector adapted to receive and conceal the lower ends of the depending legs of the outer covered frame to preclude exposure of the end faces of the covering thereof. Another object is realized in the provision of a protector of the character referred to which actually serves to enhance the appearance of the brief case. Another important object resides in the provision of a multipurpose one piece protector also having bearing means eliminating the need of interposing separate washers between the lower corresponding depending legs of the inner and outer complementary frames. Other important aspects, objects, and structural and functional features of the invention will be considered in the following detailed specification considered in the light'ofthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the covered inner and outer complementary pivoted frames, shown partly broken away and also exhibiting the protector according to the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the protector illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear View of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a top view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

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Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an exploded and fragmentary perspective view of the swiveled frames shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating another protector according to my invention.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the protector shown in Fig. l0.

Fig. 12 is a rear view of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a top view of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a side view of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the pivoted frames illustrated in Fig. 10.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged horizontal view on the line 17-17 of Fig. l0.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line 18-18 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating another form according to the invention.

Fig. A2O is an assembled View of the parts shown in Fig. 19. y

Fig. 2l is a horizontal sectional view on the line 214- 21 of Fig. 20, and Fig. 22 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 22- 22 of Fig. 21.'

Illustrative of the embodiments disclosed, swingable appropriately covered complementary inner and outer frame sections FA and FB characterize mouth M of a conventional brief case (not shown).

As to sections FA and FB each comprises an inverted U-shaped metal bar generally denoted 10 embodying a horizontal reach 11 provided with spaced depending legs 12.

Bars 10 are concealed and adhesively secured within a respective 'covering C which may be of leather or a simulation thereof.

tive coverings C. The alined perforations at the covered terminals of sections FA and FB are adapted to receive shanks S of rivet or fulcrum means R as is well understood.

Inner frame section FA is smaller in size than outer frame section FB and may be swung into or out of the latter to fully close or open mouth M. Coverings C extend beyond lower terminals of legs 12 and end in lips L (Fig. 9).

In actual practice, lips L are adhesively secured to each other and end faces of these lips, if unprotected are exposed. During use these lips L do at times separate thereby exposing the metal depending legs 12 permitting moisture to attack the latter and causing oxidation .or rusting.

Unintentional blows received by the lower parts of theV outer frame section FB during use also cause scratching, scraping andmarring of end faces 100 and aspreviously/ stated cause even separation of lips L, In either case the appearance of the brief case is disadvantageously affected. To overcome such disadvantages particularly in regard to shielding the lower covered terminals or ends of the outer lframe section FB and end faces 100, hollow protectors or keepers, broadly denoted, P are provided to receive such lowered covered terminals.

Each frame protector P according to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-9 comprises an open top housing having an uninterrupted bottom wall 15 from which extends front and rear Walls 16 and 17 as well `as the side walls 18. Bottom wall 15 and sides 18 constitute a rim dening with front wall 16 a receptacle characterizing a socket or opening 19 for receiving the lower covered terminalsor endsof frame section FB. Asto wa1ls.16v

and 17 of the protectors P, each includes alined openings 20 and 21 for reception of cylindrical fulcrum' shank S ofrrivetR; After threading shankzs through perforazione 14, 13 and 14 (Fig. 7) of frame section FA and throughaline'dopenngslort perforations` 21,114, 13', 1'4, '.20, in

frame section FB andprotectonh shank.' Sl-lias'iits outer end. 221 upsetf whereby .the latter. and head Hf 'otr rivet; R

rotatably retainifram'ef sections FAL andv FB 4on fiilcruirnl Shanks SQ Rear wall 17 of each protector P although in part de-Y versa. It is also4 apparent ithatftherims: of protectors P- alsoashieldithe'juxtapositioned end faces 100 =of covering C of the outer frame section FB. It will-tbe observed that leather. coverings Coffrarne sectionsrFA and FB terminate in margins 25 to which are appropriately attached forf'example,A byfstitching, gussetportions and front and rear walls of the brief case (not shown).

1In1 thelembodiment4 accordingA to Figs. 10 to lrparts corresponding to the form illustrated in Figs. 1-9- are primed: "However protector P accordingtoFigs. 10-18 distinguishes from the form illustrated `in Figs. 19V in that. rimfRM Iconstituting the bottom and side walls is uninterrupted. In Figs. l to 18, rim RM is also more rounded. YOtherwise the embodiment according to Figs. to.l8'is along the lines ofV the form shown in Figs. l.to.9. Y

In the modicationshownin Figs. 1'9 to 21, parts corresponding to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l0 to 18, have beendouble primed' and socket 19? of protector P is'now bounded by rimfRM" andfront wall 16", the bearing plate or back wall 17 of the type shown in Figs. 10'tto lShaving beenremoved? Instead Va conventional audseparatebearing Washer or annulus W is employed on shank S" and interposed between the complementary innenandouter covered frame sections FA and FB. In other aspects the embodiment according to Figs. 19 t021.follows the-forms shown in Figs. 1 to 18.

Various changes may be made in details of construction. and. arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein.

I- claim:

1; Infahollow protector Yfor shielding juxtapositioned end faces of a covered' terminalA of a depending leg of a frame section; the combination of, a front wall, and a rim carriedbysaid'front wall and dening therewith a socket forreception ofsaid covered terminal, and said rim comprising Ian uninterrupted bottom wall to shield said end faces.

v2. In a hollow'protector for shielding juxtapositioned end faces of a covered terminal of a depending leg of a frame section; the combination of, a front wall, a rim carried by said'front wall and defining therewith a socket for-'reception of said covered terminal and said rim cornpris'ing an uninterrupted bottom wallto shield said-'end faces, and ymeansto hold `saicl'terminal withinsaidfsocket.

Y rim and spaced from said front wall and in part defining said socket.

4. In a hollow protector for shielding juxtapositioned end faces of a covered and perforated terminal of a depending legofa frame sectionand for cooperating'witlrt a rivet having a shank adaptedfto be recived by said terminal; the combination of, a front wall, a rim carried by said front wall and defining therewith a socket for reception of said covered terminal to permit said rim to shield said end faces, and a bearing carried by said rim and spaced from saidfront wail and` in partdetining said socket, said front wall and bearing having alined perforations for i jframe section; theV combination of, a front wall, a rim carried by said frtxnnwallV andcompris'ing spaced' sides anda bottomwall defining with'saidfront wall a socket for reception' of saidccovef'ed terminal to permit said sides andbottom wall to shield saidend faces, and a rear wall spaced `from and substantially parallel to said front wall and integral with said rim.

-7. InI ahollow protector for shielding juxtapositioned end faces of' a covered and 'perforated terminal of a depending leg ofa frame section; the combination of, a front wall, a rim carried by saidfront Wall and comprising spaced sides and a bottom wall defining with said front wallr a socket for reception of said covered terminal to permit said sides and bottom wall to shield said end faces, and a bearing comprising a rear wall extending from said rimand spaced from and substantially parallel to said front Vwall and in part dem'ng said socket, said front wall and rear wall having alined'perforations for 'reception` of said; shank to retain said perforated terminal within said protector;

v'References Cited in the le of'thisrpatent UNITED' STATES PATENTS 284,446 Lieb Sept. 4, 1883 298,050 VZinkand May 6, 1884 765,598 -Schlag July 19, 1904 827,480 Traut July 31, 1906 1,430,267 Smith Sept. 26, 1922 1,473,932 Gotisar Nov. 13, 1922 

